I have had the misfortune to suffer both heart disease and a stroke, and the good fortune to have survived both.

With regard to heart disease, I cannot over-emphasize the need to recognize chest discomfort as a warning sign.

In my case, I would feel what I characterize as a “twinge” in my chest during physical exertion, such as yard work. When I rested, the sensation abated, only to reappear when I resumed work.

I likely would have ignored the sensation, but I had a routine doctor’s visit scheduled and I reported my experience.

My physician listened attentively and arranged a visit with a cardiologist, who scheduled a cardiac catheterization. While undergoing that procedure, the severity of my condition was revealed, a surgeon was located and a triple-bypass was performed immediately.

After the surgery, I learned I could have suffered a massive, perhaps fatal, heart attack — all the result of a periodic “twinge.”

My good fortune is the bypass prevented heart damage from an attack. And, eight years after the surgery, my test results continue to show normal cardiovascular function.

Although I experienced only chest discomfort, the American Heart Association (AHA) advises that sensation may be accompanied by lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath.

Other warning signs of a heart attack include:

• Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the chest lasting more than a few minutes.

• Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms.

My stroke occurred while I was asleep, so I experienced no warning signs.

When it happened in 2000, I was not aware of those signs, so I may not have heeded them even if I had experienced them. Today, I know the AHA’s stroke warning signs, which include:

• Sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg on one side of the body.

• Sudden dimness or loss of vision, particularly in one eye.

• Loss of speech, or trouble talking or understanding speech.

• Sudden, severe headaches with no apparent cause.

• Unexplained dizziness, unsteadiness or sudden falls, especially along with any of the previous symptoms.